When I'm sick I like to watch my comfort movies or show, which is Ready Player One and Merlin BBC, so I was wondering what is your comfort book? For what book are you reaching for when you have a hard time? And also I'm here to gather some fans of Player One, wondering what you think about the book and movie? ♡

I don't know if this is a hot take or not, but I don't like leaving stars/ratings on many of my reviews. Half of the time, my opinion and perspective of a book changes over time and what was a 4 star book two weeks after I finished a book now feels like a 3.5 or 3 star book six months later. Also, when I'm comparing books across widely different genres and/or intended audiences, it feels weird to shoehorn them in to the same rating system.

Like... a middle grade book can be great, but because I'm not the intended audience, I might not be as moved or wowed by it. It feels wrong to rate something that is obviously a fantastic middle grade book as lower because I'm not the intended audience, especially because I know Im not the intended audience. Middle grade authors aren't writing a story for adults (though some stories definitely speak to wider audiences). Likewise, I know I'm not the intended audience for most thrillers or horror books, but I can understand why other people might like those kinds of books, even if I don't. I still try and dabble in them to see if I've changed but... idk, a 2 star review on a book because it wasn't for me doesn't feel right when I can understand why other people rated it 4 or 5 stars, but I'm not going to rate something I didn't like 4 stars.

I only ever feel strongly about a star ratings when a book is either fantastic at or woefully fails at what it's obviously trying to accomplish. A non-fiction book making a weak argument that resorts to fallacies is definitely getting a low star rating. I usually try to reframe my reviews as "I would recommend for readers who like X, Y, and Z" or "if you don't like X or Y, this book is not for you". I just wish I could leave no stars on a review without it looking like I gave it 0 stars, but maybe I'm just overthinking all of it 🤷

What are some awful libraries you have set foot in recently?

I was so excited for my town to get a new library but it is genuinely one of the worst I've set foot in.

The majority of it is made up of a kids soft play area. And shoe horned beside it is the adult and YA section in a small corner. Then only 4 computers. No meeting rooms. And to make matters worse, it has vaulted ceilings 😳 so with kids playing, it makes for a very loud environment that doesn't invite anybody to get work done or read in peace. I had a book club meeting today and we could barely hear each other to discuss the July book. So a lot of us were disappointed and consider it a down grade. Even the librarians aren't happy about it.

I'm glad kids are using the library, but this new one is more of a play place for them

The only upside is that it's safer to get to as before it was on the brow of a hill on the main road.